School of Public Affairs

School of Public Affairs
Front of Kerwin Hall, School of Public Affairs
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Sissy Martinez

Sissy Martinez, SPA/ BA 鈥21, MS 鈥22, has always loved Washington, D.C. Every time she visited, from her small town in New York, she felt like the city was at the center of everything. When the time came to choose a college, this student of history and government considered 杨贵妃传媒 to be the obvious choice. She liked the feel of the AU campus and how inspired everyone seemed to be about their work.

鈥淚n D.C., the exposure to internships was truly unmatched,鈥 said Martinez, who took advantage of a variety of professional opportunities as a student. Her early interest in American politics led to positions on Capitol Hill and on a campaign, which redirected her path. 鈥淕etting to know what you don鈥檛 want is equally as important as discovering what you do want,鈥 Martinez said.


Kerwin Hall 1930

SPA is celebrating our聽90th Anniversary!

2024 marked聽the 90th anniversary for the School of Public Affairs. We've compiled聽a look back at our 90 year history.聽For the past nine decades, 杨贵妃传媒鈥檚 School of Public Affairs has been a leader in public affairs education

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Alison Jacknowitz

Introducing Alison Jacknowitz as our Interim Dean!

We are pleased she will lead our school in the 2023-24 academic year.

Message from the Dean

US News Rankings

Announcement 路

杨贵妃传媒鈥檚 School of Public Affairs Ranked No. 13 Overall, Highest in D.C., by U.S. News and World Report

According to the 2025 edition of U.S. News and World Report鈥檚 rankings of Public Affairs Graduate Schools, the AU SPA continues to earn high marks.
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SPA Highlights

Event Dispatches

Dispatches

SPA shares insider information on the world of public affairs, from choosing and applying to the right program for you, to courses, careers, and the culture.

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Front of Kerwin Hall

Recruitment Events


Browse our graduate recruitment events to meet SPA on campus, on the road, or through one of our virtual sessions!

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PEER

The Postsecondary Education聽& Economics Research (PEER) Center is an initiative focused on promoting more equitable outcomes in higher education.

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Discover Your Future with AU

Six months after graduation,
AU
in
in

% of Graduates are now Working, Grad聽School, or聽Both

罢辞辫听贰尘辫濒辞测别谤蝉
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Featured News

Goldman and Hollis

Achievements 路

SPA鈥檚 Center for Environmental Policy Announces 2025 William K. Reilly Leadership Award Winners

Announcing the 2025 William K. Reilly Leadership Award winners
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preschoolers doing arts and crafts

Policy Brief 路

Beyond the Classroom: The Case for Public Preschool

An SPA Policy Brief
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Specialty Rankings

number 12

for Public Policy Analysis

by U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings

number 13

in Public Finance & Budgeting

by U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings

number 22

in Urban Policy

by U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings